“All glory comes from daring to begin.”

— Eugen F. Ware

Come, winter beckons. After a storm, the air is still, the clouds are gone, the snow lies deep and nature is at peace; we should be, too.

In the wake of such storms, we can enjoy the seasonal offerings like the City of Biddeford’s Winter Fest 2014.

During the weekend of Feb. 7-9, people of all ages are invited to participate in activities that no one would expect to see in the midst of City Square.

To kick off the event, on Friday, Feb. 7, a drop-in tower measuring more than three stories will be built. There, skiers and riders from all over New England compete in Big Air and Rail Jam contests, doing tricks and entertaining the crowds.

“Our goal is to celebrate Biddeford’s past while welcoming (new) traditions,” Winter Fest coordinator John Maxson said.

Also on Friday, Dave Mallet, a Maine songwriter, will perform folk tunes at City Theater. Tickets can be purchased online or at the City Theater box office for $15.

On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be family-friendly activities in City Square, including snow shoeing, snow volleyball and kid’s games, as well as sliding on Adams Street. There will be a rail demo and a rail clinic. Local service organizations will provide activities and sell food in City Square.

On Saturday night, City Theater will welcome festival-goers inside again to hear comedian Juston McKenney at 8 p.m.

For those interested in the French-Canadian migration to Chisholm, a film called “Down by the River’s Edge” will be shown at McArthur Public Library on Sunday at 3 p.m.

With the temperatures dropping and the piles of snow forming, youngsters will delight in the many events of Winter Fest.

While we are in the middle of winter’s clutches, some folks who are talented with their hands might be looking for something to do indoors. All are welcome to join the knitting group on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m., which meets in the Deering room at Dyer Library in Saco.

A quick note from the Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Business After Hours on Jan. 23 from 5-7 p.m. will be hosted by XL Sports World, located at 400 North St. in Saco.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at [email protected].